April 22, 2024: Top news events to look out for today
By Collins Amanga, April 22, 2024
Here is what you need to know to get up to speed with today’s happenings.
Connected Africa Summit 2024
The Connected Africa Summit 2024 will be held at Uhuru Gardens until April 25. This event, themed “Shaping the Future of a Connected Africa: Unlocking Growth Beyond Connectivity,” is organized by the Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, in partnership with the Kenya ICT Authority. The summit is designed to bring together key stakeholders in Africa’s technology and innovation sectors.
Speakers at the event include President William Ruto, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, and African Union Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat. The summit comes at a time when Africa is leading in digital transformation, with many countries prioritizing digital economy development, digitizing services, and fostering innovation to drive growth and development.
The event aims to highlight the importance of the digital economy in stimulating economic growth. It serves as a platform for African leaders, investors, and businesses to explore opportunities in the digital economy and tackle barriers affecting our economies. Policymakers are committed to ensuring inclusive digitalization, with many African countries developing national digital government strategies and legislation for cybersecurity, data protection, and innovation.
The summit seeks to foster greater collaboration and investment to achieve Africa’s Digital Agenda 2063 and Vision 2030.
Doctors’ Strike Continues
The strike by the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) is entering day 40 today, with doctors demanding the government honour a collective bargaining agreement signed in 2017.
The current strike is in response to the government’s failure to fulfil its promises to medics, including comprehensive medical cover and the posting of 1,200 medical interns.
Union leaders reported that 4,000 doctors are participating in the strike, despite a labour court order asking the union to suspend the strike while discussions with the government take place.
The strike’s impact is being felt across the country, with many patients left without care and others being turned away from hospitals.
Scheduled Power Outages
Kenya Power has announced a temporary blackout for Monday, April 22, affecting three counties due to routine network maintenance.
In Nairobi County, the blackout will affect part of Parklands from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, impacting areas such as Limuru Road, 6th Parklands, Legal Plaza, and nearby customers.
In the South Nyanza Region, parts of Nyamira County will experience a blackout from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, affecting areas like Mogeni, Sanganyi, Ikonge, Nyankono, Erekenyo, Obwari, Nyamusi, Gekendo, Kebabe, Yaya Centre, Biego, and Nyaramba.
Homabay County will also undergo a blackout from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, impacting areas including Asumbi, Rangwe, Nyawita, Randung, Asumbi, Namba, Oluso, Pala Masogo, Wikoteng, and other adjacent customers.